OK just a reminder, last time this appeared was 4 months ago - dead and buried. Trying to help other people, remember? Give this a try and you'll see an immediate speed improvement on your computer, basically you're not helping Microsoft update other people's rigs - and lots of improvements to your privacy as well.

Spybot Anti-Beacon is a standalone tool which was designed to block and stop the various tracking (telemetry) issues present in Windows 10. It has since been modified to block similar tracking functionality in Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 operating systems.

Anti-Beacon is small, simple to use, and is provided free of charge. It was created to address the privacy concerns of users of Windows 10 who do not wish to have information about their PC usage sent to Microsoft. Simply clicking “Immunize” on the main screen of Anti-Beacon will immediately disable any known tracking features included by Microsoft in the operating system.

No thanks. No idea what this does to your PC. You should be more worried about Google and Facebook tracking your every move and storing all your photos.

Edited by: "BlobbyBob" 15th Mar 2017

15th Mar 2017

Can anybody advise is this is any good?

15th Mar 2017

Teezer

Can anybody advise is this is any good?

Spybot are a well known company. I have used this software on my Windows 10 computer without any issue. It works on Windows 7 too.

15th Mar 2017

Cheers. I'll have to try this out. ;0)

15th Mar 2017

Tried it before and my computer slowed to a crawl. Which is a pity as I like the idea. Will give this a go, maybe it's been sorted.

Original Poster

15th Mar 2017

Predikuesi

Spybot are a well known company. I have used this software on my Windows … Spybot are a well known company. I have used this software on my Windows 10 computer without any issue. It works on Windows 7 too.

yep Spybot has been around for many years, at one time they had one of the best free anti-malware apps but seem to have been slightly left behind by competors & events (with Windows Defender filling the role for many) - but a very well-regarded company

15th Mar 2017

This does work on Windows 10 but some updates by Microsoft will turn features on that you have previously turned off from time to time. It's worth running the checker after any updates to ensure telemetry is still turned off. I'm still rocking windows 7 and will be until 2020 when I have to make a decision on Windows 10.

Original Poster

15th Mar 2017

BlobbyBob

No thanks. No idea what this does to your PC. You should be more worried … No thanks. No idea what this does to your PC. You should be more worried about Google and Facebook tracking your every move and storing all your photos.

it's easy not to use Google or Facebook

it's pretty difficult to stop the telemetry (tracking by Microsoft) etc unless you use an app like this (there are other ways but several rely on you knowing how to use code

as to being worried by what it will do to your computer, it's a legitimate concern with any program you install but pretty ludicrous to worry with Spybot Anti-Beacon as it is widely used with very few negative reports - which can be easily dealt with if it happens on your particular rig by de-installing it in seconds

Spybot are a well known company. I have used this software on my Windows … Spybot are a well known company. I have used this software on my Windows 10 computer without any issue. It works on Windows 7 too.

Spybot is excellent and has been around for many years so is worth putting on any pc for added protection so hopefully Anti Beacon will be just as usefull

15th Mar 2017

nipstyler

This does work on Windows 10 but some updates by Microsoft will turn … This does work on Windows 10 but some updates by Microsoft will turn features on that you have previously turned off from time to time. It's worth running the checker after any updates to ensure telemetry is still turned off. I'm still rocking windows 7 and will be until 2020 when I have to make a decision on Windows 10.

Just don't buy a new processor for your computer as some now only run on Windows 10.

16th Mar 2017

Just don't buy a new processor for your computer as some now only run on … Just don't buy a new processor for your computer as some now only run on Windows 10

Tried it before and my computer slowed to a crawl. Which is a pity as I … Tried it before and my computer slowed to a crawl. Which is a pity as I like the idea. Will give this a go, maybe it's been sorted.

​ Ok, installed it and it runs ok (in fact the computer runs ok, Win10) without lagging. NO slowing down, though not sure if it is noticeably faster though - time will tell. But speeding up computer is not why I installed it!

16th Mar 2017

Personally I don't bother with these applications since they don't stop all of the data collection and connections to Microsoft. Just open the resource monitor in task manager and look at the networking tab.

If you feel like you must use one of these applications though then check out O&O ShutUp10. It's updated more often and contains more options.

Edited by: "soza" 16th Mar 2017

16th Mar 2017

Thanks for the reminder OP

16th Mar 2017

This is on all my machines. They all run lightning fast and absolutely fine.

16th Mar 2017

I love it when posts like this are erm posted

Original Poster

16th Mar 2017

MrBeansDrivingInstructor

I love it when posts like this are erm posted

nice to feel the love

16th Mar 2017

luvsadealdealdeal

nice to feel the love

​Thank you - 'tis good.

16th Mar 2017

Installed this and tried to access Irish ancestory freebie deal and the website was blocked came up with some ad.doubleclick error 53 message. Disabled blocking and it works fine

Edited by: "hughwp" 16th Mar 2017

16th Mar 2017

Works on windows 7 & 8 as well as 10 and also for some Office products. Microsoft advisory update KB2952664 out again today for Windows 7, don't install as it's the old telemetry update for gathering your data. Installing Anti-beacon can also speed up your internet considerably as no data being transferred to Microsoft

Edited by: "wy111" 16th Mar 2017

Original Poster

16th Mar 2017

hughwp

Installed this and tried to access Irish ancestory freebie deal and the … Installed this and tried to access Irish ancestory freebie deal and the website was blocked came up with some ad.doubleclick error 53 message. Disabled blocking and it works fine

you need to fine tune it

17th Mar 2017

luvsadealdealdeal

yep Spybot has been around for many years, at one time they had one of … yep Spybot has been around for many years, at one time they had one of the best free anti-malware apps but seem to have been slightly left behind by competors & events (with Windows Defender filling the role for many) - but a very well-regarded company

Yep!, they've been around for a while ...

I'm still a bit partial to their other App = Spybot Search & Destroy. :-)

17th Mar 2017

wy111

Works on windows 7 & 8 as well as 10 and also for some Office products. … Works on windows 7 & 8 as well as 10 and also for some Office products. Microsoft advisory update KB2952664 out again today for Windows 7, don't install as it's the old telemetry update for gathering your data. Installing Anti-beacon can also speed up your internet considerably as no data being transferred to Microsoft

What's with all these excessive Data Mining 'exercises' out there, that's currently burning us allllll of late?, lol. :-(

17th Mar 2017

Les.Alanos

Did you read that on … Did you read that on Facebook?https://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/09/02/windows_intel_kaby_lake_amd_zen/

You linked to several months old outdated articles, go look up update, Ryzen and Intel 7th gen processors will not work on any Windows other than Windows 10 confirmed

17th Mar 2017

Run this tool everytime Windows 10 updates as Microsoft resets most of those settings back to how they want it which is a pain.... MS really wants those telemetry and datamine their users alot.Also make sure to use the latest version of Spybot

17th Mar 2017

mrty

Tried it before and my computer slowed to a crawl. Which is a pity as I … Tried it before and my computer slowed to a crawl. Which is a pity as I like the idea. Will give this a go, maybe it's been sorted.

And what do spybot get from giving this away ? Is it open source ?

Obviously nothing is for free.

Original Poster

17th Mar 2017

archy121

And what do spybot get from giving this away ? Is it open source ? … And what do spybot get from giving this away ? Is it open source ? Obviously nothing is for free.

they ask for donations

it's really a very small tool (the download & installation take a few seconds) and they won't have spent too many hours on it, that initial cost is sunk now so giving it out free is a smart marketing move for their other products

18th Mar 2017

I got it to block telemetry not to speed up my PC.FU MS!

23rd Mar 2017

Thanks for this!

18th Apr 2017

eloo

Run this tool everytime Windows 10 updates as Microsoft resets most of … Run this tool everytime Windows 10 updates as Microsoft resets most of those settings back to how they want it which is a pain.... MS really wants those telemetry and datamine their users alot.Also make sure to use the latest version of Spybot